The Lucky Country, unlucky for some

The Irish inquiry into church-run, state-funded mother and baby homes is finalising its parameters.

When John gave his evidence to the UK House of Commons inquiry, the MPs stopped him because they were so overcome.

John Michael Patrick Hennessey was born in an institution called Nazareth House in Bristol. His 24-year-old unmarried Irish mother was ''banished by the church in Ireland and took the boat to England to give birth in 1936.

''Not expected to live, read John's baptismal certificate. May Mary Hennessey was told that her son had died. For 11 years the Sisters of Nazareth cared for John until that fateful day he was lined up ...